We have set up our defoliation trial on Blue Creek road, Corrie and I will be out with Dr. Gaylon Morgan on Friday the 12th at 11:00am till 12:00pm. The replicated plot was sprayed August 2nd initially, and had follow up treatments on the 9th. Both one shot and follow up treatments are in the trial. We will offer 1 general CEU for TDA pesticide license holders.
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| Defoliation Trial Location |
The Zika virus has been in the news quite a bit recently, and I know there has been no shortage of mosquitos. This disease holds the greatest risk for women in the first trimester of pregnancy. Contracting Zika during this time greatly increases the chance of a child developing microcephaly, a condition where the fetal brain and head do not develop completely and do not reach the proper size. In adults, the effects of Zika have been relatively mild. Only one in five people will feel sick when it is contracted, and they will typically develop mild symptons that include a fever, joint pain, red itchy eyes, an a rash. Symptoms arise two to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. So far, there is no vaccine available for the virus. This means that the best way at preventing the spread of the virus is by controlling the mosquitos and avoiding getting bitten.
Two species of mosquitos are capable of carrying the virus, the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes agypti) and the asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus). Both of these mosquitos can be found in most parts of the US. Texas has both of these mosquitos. Even with the heat lately, we still are seeing some mosquito activity. These particular mosquito species are active throughout the day and into the evening. They can breed in very little water, and can reproduce pretty quickly. Our first line of defense against this disease is remembering the "Four Ds".
— Drain: Empty standing water, thus eliminating mosquito breeding sites.
— Dress: Put on long sleeved shirts and pants when going outside.
— Defend: Apply mosquito repellent when going outside.
— Dusk and Dawn: Avoid outdoor activity during these two most mosquito-active periods.
Dr. Sonja Swiger, our Agrilife extension entomologist at Stephenville states "Using products containing DEET, picaridin, oil of Lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535, as active ingredients provide reasonably long-lasting protection from mosquito bites." Be sure to read and follow the label for any product you use.
Zika can also be transmitted sexually from men to women in certain circumstances. The US Centers for Disease Control recently recommended that women with confirmed cases of Zika, or who have experienced symptoms of the virus, wait at least eight weeks after the start of their symptoms before tying to get pregnant. Also, men with confirmed cases of Zika, or who have experienced symptoms of the virus, are advised to wait at least six months after their symptoms began before having unprotected sex. This recommendation is based on how long the virus remains active in the body and in semen.
For more information on the virus, mosquitos, or any related concerns check out these websites:
For further questions, don't hesitate to call the Wharton extension office, or to contact Dr. Sonja Swiger or Dr. Mike Merchant.
Dr. Swiger: slswiger@ag.tamu.edu
(254)968-4144
Dr. Merchant: m-merchant@tamu.edu
(972)952-9204
Sincerely,
Kate Harrell
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